Buy X31 on Ebay - a few questions

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middle14 · #1 Post by **middle14** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:16 pm

I priced an X31 configured the way I want on IBM's site, came up over $2,400. It looks like I can buy virtually the same configuration on Ebay for maybe $1,700 or so. I bought my current X20 on Ebay, but it was an inexpensive used machine, the X31's I'm looking at are IBM sealed machines.

The description says they are factory over-runs, returns, etc. but are complete in new condition. My question is this - is there a risk that someone tried it for a week or two, loaded a bunch of stuff on it, and I'll be dealing with problems? Or does IBM do a reformat and software reload to avoid that?

One I'm looking at doesn't come with an office suite. I have Office 2000, would this load OK on an X31 running XP Pro? Am I better off buying a copy of Office 2003?

I've read here about installing the 7k60 drive. Is this easy to configure, would I be able to get it up and running myself without too many problems?

Thanks for any help on this, I'm new on the forum and it has some great info.

Blake · #2 Post by **Blake** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:55 pm

i bought my x31 from ebay.... i paid about 1200 for it 1.4 512mb 40gig wifi.

the machine was perfect and i very impressed.

what specs are you looking at... also remember its cheaper for you to upgrade it then to pay someone(ie ram and hard drive) in some cases.

office 2k will run just fine. i have running on my backup xp pro tower.

as far as the 7k60 drive its very easy. i have upgraded my x31 with that drive and it was a great upgrade.

read this
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3827

and here is a post when i asked the same question
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

welcome to the forums.

Blake · #3 Post by **Blake** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:01 pm

i bought my x31 from ebay.... i paid about 1200 for it 1.4 512mb 40gig wifi.

the machine was perfect and i very impressed.

what specs are you looking at... also remember its cheaper for you to upgrade it then to pay someone(ie ram and hard drive) in some cases.

office 2k will run just fine. i have running on my backup xp pro tower.

as far as the 7k60 drive its very easy. i have upgraded my x31 with that drive and it was a great upgrade.

read this
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3827

and here is a post when i asked the same question
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

welcome to the forums.

middle14 · #4 Post by **middle14** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:02 am

Blake, thanks for the reply and the links. When you booted your X31 for the first time, did it appear to be a fresh software load, or did it look like it had been run before? I suppose if I'm putting in the new HD it won't matter, but I may wait a while before doing it.

Blake · #5 Post by **Blake** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:52 am

it was used and i was aware of it,
BUT it was PERFECT. not a mark, nick, or sign of use.

the previous owner did a system restore to take it back to its initial config.

do remember that there is no optical drive unless you buy one seperate but i believe u can load all the files onto the new drive if you have a usb box or something u can use to get the setup files onto the new drive...

remember your spending alot of money so ask all the possible questions you can. even if you think its to much, its your money so make sure you get what you paid for. if the seller is serious then they should have no problem answering emails, i think i emailed my guy about 20 times back and forth but i eneded up with a fantastic product...

this unit looks nice
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 10444&rd=1

just dont rush into buying something if you have a doubt and unless it new in box make sure you get some actual pictures that are clear....

keep an eye out for pc and camera auctions they seem to have good deals.

good luck

middle14 · #6 Post by **middle14** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:57 pm

I'm leaning toward the ones that are in factory packaging from IBM. I figure there is a better chance of them not having a bunch of stuff loaded that will create problems. They are quite a bit more expensive than a private sale of a used machine, but I think it will be worth it. I'm going to look closer tonite and send some inquiries to the sellers.

Blake · #7 Post by **Blake** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 12:26 am

you can allways reformat the drive when you get it, and with the money you save buyin a slightly used maching you could just buy a new faster and larger drive and use the old one for a portable usb drive.

leesiulung · #8 Post by **leesiulung** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:11 pm

As middle14 said, you can always reformat the drive. IBM computers should have the hidden restore partition. If not, with all the money you saved, it might be worth your while to buy the Recovery CD or worst case scenario, I will be willing to make copies of mine and ship it to you. Of course charging you for the cost of shipping and CD-Rs...

middle14 · #9 Post by **middle14** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:15 am

When I had problems with my X20 I sent it to IBM under warranty, they put in a new HDD and fresh software re-load, solved nearly all my problems. Here's my question - if I install a 7k60 drive myself, and later had to send the X31 in for warranty work, will IBM still work on the machine? I realize they wouldn't replace the HDD, but would they do other necessary work, or does the aftermarket drive void the warranty?

eriqesque · #10 Post by **eriqesque** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 1:06 pm

middle14 wrote:When I had problems with my X20 I sent it to IBM under warranty, they put in a new HDD and fresh software re-load, solved nearly all my problems. Here's my question - if I install a 7k60 drive myself, and later had to send the X31 in for warranty work, will IBM still work on the machine? I realize they wouldn't replace the HDD, but would they do other necessary work, or does the aftermarket drive void the warranty?

No the HD is customer upgradable and replaceable. In fact if you need to send it in you should leave the HD out anyway. Unles it's the factory HD and part of the problem.

middle14 · #11 Post by **middle14** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 8:30 pm

Here's another question as I continue the Ebay X31 search. I see the 1.7 GHz processor, also a 1.6, but on IBM's web site I don't see the 1.6 offered. Is this an older processor? Is there a series of processors I want to focus on, any improvements in processor or bus that I should know when evaluating the systems?

#12 Post by **aamsel** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:28 pm

Keep one thing in mind if you get a Thinkpad on EBAY:

MANY of the units listed say "New X31" or "New X40" or "New T42" but they aren't new at all. Somewhere buried in the description it will say: refurbished, remanufactured, recertified or the like. It may say "in original box" or other such description.

This is a common practice with many Thinkpad sellers on EBAY. It is not unique to Thinkpads, it is done with many, many items such as cell phones and other items. The title has the word "NEW" in it, but the item is not new.

The seller wants for a search for "new x31", etc. to get a hit for their item.

Drives me nuts, and it is an easy way to get ripped off. If you question the seller, he/she will reply: It is "like new".

Sorry, but nothing is new except for brand new.

Beware!!

Andrew
Austin, TX

middle14 · #13 Post by **middle14** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 3:46 pm

Thanks Andrew for the heads up. I'm aware they aren't new, but I'm trying to choose a factory sealed unit because in my opinion it is one step above a private sellers used one. Not sure if I'm right, but that's the way I'm heading with it. I assume the sealed ones are returns for the most part.

#14 Post by **aamsel** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:09 pm

That is probably the case with those, not sure.

Andrew
Austin, TX

middle14 wrote:T...I assume the sealed ones are returns for the most part.

gazingwa · #15 Post by **gazingwa** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:13 pm

The question to ask is why was it returned.
Are there dead pixels?
Many customers return to IBM for 1 or 2 dead pixels or the machine ariving with a scratch. i think IBM allows for up to 5 dead pixels before you can get a warranty on it. are you willing to put up with that?
I doubt there is a return policy on an ebay thinkpad.
From IBM you can return it within 30 days or you can ask bill to make sure he sends you a good one, for a fee of course.

#16 Post by **aamsel** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:21 pm

You are NOT going to be able to return an EBAY Thinkpad.
Unfortunately, the parties that get these "sealed" returned units are not going to have a clue as to why IBM got them back. IBM receives them, checks them out, and sells them as recertified, or whatever they call them.
It is going to be a crapshoot to buy one.
For me, it would have to be a really low price to make it worth the gamble.
The worst thing you could get would be an LCD with less than 5 dead pixels.

Andrew
Austin, TX

gazingwa wrote:The question to ask is why was it returned.
Are there dead pixels?
Many customers return to IBM for 1 or 2 dead pixels or the machine ariving with a scratch. i think IBM allows for up to 5 dead pixels before you can get a warranty on it. are you willing to put up with that?
I doubt there is a return policy on an ebay thinkpad.
From IBM you can return it within 30 days or you can ask bill to make sure he sends you a good one, for a fee of course.

Buy X31 on Ebay - a few questions

Buy X31 on Ebay - a few questions

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